Usability Overview by Craig Tomlin

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability Analyst

Usability: An Overview

W Craig Tomlin, Certified Usability Analyst

www.usefulusability.com

wcraigtomlin@gmail.com

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystWhat Usability Is

• A development approach that includes end-user feedback as part of the software development lifecycle:

wcraigtomlin@gmail.com | (805) 501-8612

Usability test: end users try to conduct specific tasks

• A development approach that includes end-user feedback as part of the software development lifecycle:

“Usability is an approach toproduct development thatincorporates direct userfeedback throughout thedevelopment cycle in orderto reduce costs and createproducts and tools thatmeet user needs.”*

3*Source: Usability Professionals Association

Usability test: end users try to conduct specific tasks

• Usability adds to the bottom line by:

– Limiting the need for expensivepost-launch “revisions” of software

– Improving user efficiency, which increases conversion

– Reducing the time it takes to learn to use an application

– Increasing user satisfaction, which positively impacts brand attitudes

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystWhat Usability Isn’t

• A Focus Group:

– Focus groups are used for eliciting new ideas in a“group think” environment

Focus groups explore ideas in a “group-think” environment

• A Focus Group:

– Focus groups are used for eliciting new ideas in a“group think” environment

– Focus groups do not test specific tasks on a“1-on-1” basis, thus arenot used for usabilitytesting

Focus groups explore ideas in a “group-think” environment

• A Survey:

– Surveys gather attitudes, beliefs & perceptions

10wcraigtomlin@gmail.com | (805) 501-8612

• A Survey:

– Surveys require large numbers of participants to reduce sampling error

• A Survey:

– Often, what people say in a survey vs. how they actually behave are quite different

• A Survey:

– Often, what people say in a survey vs. how they actually behave are quite different

– Usability testing typically needs only 5-10 users, because the tasks are being tested, not the users

– And actual user behavior is observed, not opinions

• Expensive:

– Usability can be conducted without an expensive facility, and with a minimum of resources using web-based tools

• Expensive:

• Time-consuming:

– Best results occur with only 5-10 users in a short period of time, each user conducting a 1 or 2 hour test session

• Expensive:

• Time-consuming:

– Best results occur with only 5-10 users in a short period of time, each user conducting a 1 or 2 hour test session

– Preliminary results can be observed while testing, and results compiled in days, not weeks

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystExample – Usable

OK, this looks like product categories…

TASK:TASK:Find an electronic kit for a boy’s birthday

…and these are a few special deals

Science Town, electronic kits must be here CLICK

…and these are a few special deals

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystExample – Not As Usable

Hmmm, where do I start?

Are these products?

Is this the latest product catalog?

Are these products?

What’s this?

What’s this for?

Is this the latest product catalog?

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystA Cause of Usability Failure

• Many usability failures are caused by designing systems that are not in alignment with the user’s “Mental Map” of a task-flow:

Step 1 – Find product categories

Step 2 – Find science kits

Step 3 – Find electronic kit for boy

Step 1 – Find product categories

Step 2 – Find science kits

Step 3 – Find electronic kit for boy

Aligned with Mental Map Not Aligned with Mental Map

• Testing at key points of the Software Development Life Cycle improves usability, because of alignment with the user’s Mental Map

Usability Testing in the SDLC

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystTime vs. Impact on Design

Usability’s biggest impact is early in the development process, due to the ability to make changes at minimal resource cost

Early Development ProductionPrototype

Impact on

Design

Early Development ProductionPrototype

Impact on

Design

Ability to Make Changes

“Cost” to Make Changes

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystUsability Benefits

• Increasing usability = increasing application value• User-friendly systems are simple, they don’t make users think, so

they’re faster & more satisfying, which result in increased:

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability Analyst2 Types of Usability Tests

• There are many variations of usability testing, but 2 general types:

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystUsability Testing Steps

• An overview of 1-on-1 usability testing steps:

Warning!Get your magnifying glass ready!

(And this is just an overview)

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystUsability Testing Steps

• An overview of 1-on-1 usability testing steps:

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystSummary: Usability Overview

• A development approach that includes end-userfeedback as part of the software development lifecycle:

“Usability is an approach to product development that incorporates direct user feedback throughout the development cycle in order to reduce costs and create products and tools that meet user needs.” (Usability Professional’s Association)

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystSummary: Usability Overview

• A development approach that includes end-userfeedback as part of the software development lifecycle:

“Usability is an approach to product development that incorporates direct user feedback throughout the development cycle in order to reduce costs and create products and tools that meet user needs.” (Usability Professional’s Association)

– Limiting the need for expensive post-launch “revisions” of software

– Reducing the time it takes to learn how to use a new application

– Increasing user satisfaction, which impacts brand attitudes

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystAppendix: Usability Resources

• www.usefulusability.com – My usability web site

• www.upassoc.org – Usability Professional’s Association

• www.ukupa.org.uk – UPA in the United Kingdom

• www.usability.gov – Copious usability information

• www.sigchi.org – Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction

• www.usabilitynet.org – European Union usability group

W Craig TomlinCertified Usability AnalystThank You!

W Craig Tomlin,Certified Usability Analyst

www.usefulusability.com

wcraigtomlin@gmail.com

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